College Football Association of Ireland

CFAI Break World Record

01 March 2012

COLLEGES Football was in history-making mode at a sun drenched Tallaght Stadium yesterday when the CFAI marked its 40th anniversary by setting a new world record for the most consecutive penalty kicks to be taken in one day.

Irish football icon Ray Houghton had the honour of taking the 743rd penalty to break the record, which was set by Major League Soccer in New York last year when David Beckham took the record breaking kick.

The CFAI, working with ITT Dublin and Senior College Dun Laoghaire, helped smash that record completely and set a new total of 1401 kicks.

The record is to be verified by the Guiness Book of World Records and that announcement is expected in the coming weeks.

"Given that there could not be a gap any longer than 30 seconds between each kick, it took an enormous amount of planning and coordinating to ensure that everything was executed to perfection," said CFAI Chairman Padraig Carney.

"It was a tremendous day and I have to pay tribute to all of the volunteers who made it such a success. All of the organisations involved put in a huge effort including Tallaght Hospital, Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI), ITT Dublin, ITT Students Union and Senior College Dun Laoghaire.

"I am sure it will be a day everybody involved will never forget. I have to give particular thanks to Brendan Maguire of the CFAI who did a phenomenal job driving the whole project, Tim O'Connor from ITT Dublin and CFAI Treasurer Michael Mooring, who all put in Trojan work to make it all come together.

"On the day itself the Tallaght Stadium staff, led by Nicola Coffey, South Dublin County Council and the school teachers were all brilliant. I would also like to thanks Joe O'Brien for his work organising the referees and Stephen Finn for having the goalkeepers so well organised also."

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney, Minister of State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes TD, ITT Dublin President Pat McLaughlin and former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr also turned up to take a spot-kick.

The two chosen charities to benefit were SARI and The Childrens Hospital in Tallaght. The local Schools who took part were: Old Bawn Community School, St Marks Community School, St Aidans Community School, St. Anne's Primary School and St. Dominic's National School.

In addition, 25 goalkeepers made themselves available to face the kicks (Facing an average of 56 kicks each) including a number of Airtricity League goalkeepers such Barry Murphy (St Patrick's Athletic), Paul Hunt (Longford Town), Chris Bennion (Monaghan United) and Matt Gregg.